Yorkshire campaign leads to Government action on bailiff regulation

The changes are intended to ensure consistent professional standards, amid concerns over enforcement agents pressuring people into repayment arrangements that left them unable to pay for daily essentials.

Bailiffs will be required to be accredited by the Enforcement Conduct Board, or work for an accredited firm, in order to get the certificate needed to operate.

Courts minister Sarah Sackman said: “Bailiffs have an important job to do, but with that responsibility must come high standards.

“When someone is already struggling with debt, the last thing they should face is intimidating behaviour, unfair treatment or being pushed into excessive repayment arrangements they cannot afford.

“That’s why we’re strengthening the rules. All private bailiffs will have to meet proper, professional standards and will be subject to independent oversight – giving people greater protection and somewhere to turn when things go wrong.”

Earlier this year, this paper reported on how tens of thousands of knocks on doors every year can be from so-called “rogue bailiffs”, as previously regulation was voluntary.

Some 94 per cent of enforcement agencies sign up to the ECB, however this still means that there are plenty of unregulated knocks.

StepChange, a Leeds-based charity which supports people in debt, has long been campaigning for tougher regulation.

It said the change, whilst falling short of giving the oversight body comprehensive statutory powers, is a welcome step.

Chief executive Vikki Brownridge said: “This welcome announcement marks a strong stepping-stone towards a full statutory regulator – a reform which will help drive up standards in the sector, challenge bad practice, and ensure StepChange clients and those facing bailiff action have access to legal recourse and support where necessary.

“With one in 10 StepChange clients facing bailiff enforcement action, rising to one in three for those in council tax arrears, ensuring bailiff firms are subject to ECB oversight makes sense in the first instance and is welcome for our clients and those we seek to represent.

“Crucially, this step brings the ECB closer to the enforcement legal structure, and the next step should be to introduce primary legislation which will give the ECB full legal powers to ensure higher standards of consumer protections.”

York Outer MP Luke Charters, who has campaigned alongside StepChange, said: “I’m chuffed that, after two years of campaigning, the Government is taking action to change the law and make proper oversight of bailiffs compulsory. The people who shared their experiences with me have helped make this happen.

“Some of the people I’ve met had lost their job or become seriously ill. They were doing their best to get through an already difficult time, only to be left frightened in their own homes.

“Michael told me he was worried that bailiffs could take his little girl’s cot.

“As a dad, that really stayed with me. I brought him and Adam to Parliament because I wanted their experiences to be heard, and because nobody should have to go through what they did.

“Being in debt does not mean you stop deserving kindness and respect. Your protection should never depend on whether a bailiff chooses to accept independent scrutiny.

“I want to thank ministers for listening and for hearing the voice of the voiceless. The people I’ve met deserved to be taken seriously. I’m grateful that this Labour Government has heard them and is doing something about it.”